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This was discussed as part of another thread, but it seems that it might deserve its own. I think that this group is ready to play. I think it is much easier to start with a 46 man team and add where needed, rather than to agonize over cuts. IMHO, we have a solid 46 man squad. The only major roster deficiency is at OT if Vollmer is not ready to play.

Personally, I think that we will be scouring the cuts through Game 2 looking for help at RB, TE and OT.

======================
The questions are
Q1) What is missing? What do we need?
Q2) What additions would held the team most if there are injuries?
Q3) Are the options on the team?
Q4) What are the most likely additions from the cuts of other teams.
========================
THE FINAL SEVEN ROSTER SPOTS
RB/FB: the 4th and or 5th could come from anywhere
TE: We need a blocking TE (especially with weakness at OT) and/or a backup receiving TE
WR: Branch or Stallworth
OT: We need a 4th OT, especially with Vollmer's injury issues.
DT: I like having a 6th wide-body
2 ST: We could use two:, one LB and one SS
=======================
OFFENSE (21)
QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB/FB (3) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead
WR (5) Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez
C (2) Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell
G (3) Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Donald Thomas
T (3) Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon

I mean regular season. The most important cuts come within 3 weeks, 1 week before and 2 weeks after the "final" cut to 53. Consider the "final" cut to 53. Over 600 players are cut that week or put on IR. There is then a scramble at the bottom of everyone's roster as players are signed from the 600.

This was discussed as part of another thread, but it seems that it might deserve its own. I think that this group is ready to play. I think it is much easier to start with a 46 man team and add where needed, rather than to agonize over cuts. IMHO, we have a solid 46 man squad. The only major roster deficiency is at OT if Vollmer is not ready to play.

Personally, I think that we will be scouring the cuts through Game 2 looking for help at RB, TE and OT.

======================
The questions are
Q1) What is missing? What do we need?
Q2) What additions would held the team most if there are injuries?
Q3) Are the options on the team?
Q4) What are the most likely additions from the cuts of other teams.
========================
THE FINAL SEVEN ROSTER SPOTS
RB/FB: the 4th and or 5th could come from anywhere
TE: We need a blocking TE (especially with weakness at OT) and/or a backup receiving TE
WR: Branch or Stallworth
OT: We need a 4th OT, especially with Vollmer's injury issues.
DT: I like having a 6th wide-body
2 ST: We could use two:, one LB and one SS
=======================
OFFENSE (21)
QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB/FB (3) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead
WR (5) Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez
C (2) Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell
G (3) Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Donald Thomas
T (3) Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon

This was discussed as part of another thread, but it seems that it might deserve its own. I think that this group is ready to play. I think it is much easier to start with a 46 man team and add where needed, rather than to agonize over cuts. IMHO, we have a solid 46 man squad. The only major roster deficiency is at OT if Vollmer is not ready to play.

Personally, I think that we will be scouring the cuts through Game 2 looking for help at RB, TE and OT.

======================
The questions are
Q1) What is missing? What do we need?
Q2) What additions would held the team most if there are injuries?
Q3) Are the options on the team?
Q4) What are the most likely additions from the cuts of other teams.
========================
THE FINAL SEVEN ROSTER SPOTS
RB/FB: the 4th and or 5th could come from anywhere
TE: We need a blocking TE (especially with weakness at OT) and/or a backup receiving TE
WR: Branch or Stallworth
OT: We need a 4th OT, especially with Vollmer's injury issues.
DT: I like having a 6th wide-body
2 ST: We could use two:, one LB and one SS

This was discussed as part of another thread, but it seems that it might deserve its own. I think that this group is ready to play. I think it is much easier to start with a 46 man team and add where needed, rather than to agonize over cuts. IMHO, we have a solid 46 man squad. The only major roster deficiency is at OT if Vollmer is not ready to play.

Personally, I think that we will be scouring the cuts through Game 2 looking for help at RB, TE and OT.

======================
The questions are
Q1) What is missing? What do we need?
Q2) What additions would held the team most if there are injuries?
Q3) Are the options on the team?
Q4) What are the most likely additions from the cuts of other teams.
========================
THE FINAL SEVEN ROSTER SPOTS
RB/FB: the 4th and or 5th could come from anywhere
TE: We need a blocking TE (especially with weakness at OT) and/or a backup receiving TE
WR: Branch or Stallworth
OT: We need a 4th OT, especially with Vollmer's injury issues.
DT: I like having a 6th wide-body
2 ST: We could use two:, one LB and one SS
=======================
OFFENSE (21)
QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB/FB (3) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead
WR (5) Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez
C (2) Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell
G (3) Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Donald Thomas
T (3) Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon

I think Ebner should be '4th safety' because I don't think he is a lock at all.
I think Edlelman should be replaced by both "4th WR" and KR/PR.
I'm not certain Waters coming in wouldn't eliminate one of the 8 OL, but 9 seems more likely.

mg,
Of your 46 I still consider Koppen, Thomas, Scott and Brace at risk. So, my version is cut back to 42.

That said, I'm surprised you weren't willing to commit to McDonald, with his versatility and demonstrated effectiveness last year. Having him active on game day makes it much easier to give roster spots to the defensive front and wideout, where the talent runs deep.

Having lost Fletcher, I think one of the ST jobs goes to a LB for certain: Tarp, Koutouvides or Rivera. And perhaps a second LB from that threesome as we builid to 53.

And, with the Demps news, I'm willing to hold one of the spots to him...assuming he signs, reports and performs.

I don't consider my group of 46 to be locks. I do consider the roster to be ready to go, presuming the availability of Vollmer.

So, yes I acknowledge that some of the players that I've listed may be beaten out.

SPECIFIC PLAYERS

THOMAS
For me, Thomas is a placeholder for Waters, should he show up.

KOPPEN OVER MCDONALD
If Waters shows up, I might risk MacDonald. If not, I want Koppen and Wendell as experienced centers. I've seen nothing from McDonald that makes me believe that he is a better center than Koppen. With regard to flexibility (code word for him playing a little OT lately with no one available, I'd rather have a real OT on the roster. In any case, we are likely to have two on the Practice Squad.

EBNER
OK, he's not a lock by any means. But it does seem that he is worth keeping as a developmental player, probably never active. The reality is that I expect one of the remaining positions to be filled by a defensive back. The 4th safety would really be that DB (Ihedigbo or Barrett) or Moore (with Cole as an emergency corner).

EDELMAN
I understand the angst. I would like to see him replaced. I never want to see him on the field as a wide receiver. However, I see Belichick continuing to use him as our primary punt returner. Kick returners (especially now) are not hugely valuable, but punt returners are indeed valuable. In the end, I can have Branch or Edelman. I think that I would choose Edelman.

DEMPS
If he makes the team, he will reduce our roster flexibility some, since he is a returner at best for 2012, requiring us to have a 5th RB. I suspect that we will lose our 3rd TE or 4th OT.

I think Waters has to be on there. I don't care if he hasn't shown up. If he was retiring he would have retired already.

This allows Koppen to go, Connelly to move to C where he should be, McDonald as the backup everything. Although I would be happy to dump him for a real 4th T as well.

I don't understand the Edelman hate. I really don't. He's a slot receiver playing behind the best slot receiver in the league for the last 5 years. It's not like he's had a ton of opportunity. He came in as a project moving over from QB. He does whatever he's asked and is the primary punt returner. Plus it sounds like he's having a good camp.

If Ebner doesn't make it I will cry. If Ihedigbo makes it over him there will be gnashing of teeth and rending of clothes.

I think it's funny that everybody is fine with both Branch and Stallworth getting cut. I'm not saying it won't happen but it's not a forgone conclusion either.

I do not feel Woodhead is the lock others do. Between Vereen and Demps I think he may become superfluous. I think Vereen is a much better blocker, as good of a receiver and a better back between the tackles that can break more tackles when taking a hit. Demps is much more explosive on special teams.

Koppen and Wendell aren't locks

Marcus Harrison flashed a few times in the first preseason game. I'd like to see him get more time against Philly. He's my dark horse surprise that hasn't been talked about a lot.

QB(2): Brady, Hoyer/Mallett. Hoyer at this point. I don't see a compelling reason to have 3 game day QBs.
RB(3): Vereen, Ridley, Woodhead. Demps will serve as a 4th back. Bolden inactive, but injuries will likely get him to on the active roster some weeks.
WR(6): Welker, Lloyd, Gaffney, Stallworth/Branch, Edelman, Slater. The last 2 guys have strong ST value.
TE(3): Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fells/Shiancoe
OT(3): Ridley, Vollmer, Cannon
OG/C(4): Mankins, Connolly, McDonald. Wendell/Thomas depending on who is healthy and who is ahead on the final depth chart, or Waters if he comes back.